Everyone seems to be watching all the HGTV shows about flipping homes or renovating them into your dream home. It is hard not to see yourself doing the same thing! After all, it seems so easy! Why not?
If you are falling in love with the idea of renovating a home to reflect your personal style and saving money with sweat equity, that can be a great plan. You can increase the value of your new home and get exactly what you want. However, you also may encounter some unanticipated problems after the renovations begin. That may bump you over your budget, even if you are doing the work yourself. Before you begin your next remodeling project, you should think carefully about what you want and be prepared for the unexpected.
GET DETAILED ESTIMATES
When planning a remodeling project, get quotes from several experienced local contractors. It’s important to be clear about what you want the end result to look like when finished. Be specific about the types of materials you want to use—and anything you don’t want—as this will allow contractors to provide estimates that reflect what you actually want, rather than their guesses and assumptions. When you look at all the estimates, you’ll be comparing apples to apples, making it easier to choose the one with the best price.
BE PREPARED FOR SURPRISES
Home remodeling projects often uncover additional problems, especially in older houses, so you need to be realistic. The contractor may discover dry rot, damaged insulation, mold or other issues that’ll need to be fixed before proceeding with the renovation. Be sure to tack 15 to 20 percent onto your budget just in case something unexpected comes up.
BUDGET FOR YOUR PLAN
Once the remodeling process begins, you may be so excited about the changes you’re seeing that you think of other things you’d like to do. You might even start to think about remodeling another room since the contractor is already present and you could get both projects done at once. While it may be fun to think about the possibilities, this is a surefire way to go over your budget.
STICK TO THE PLAN
Once you make a plan and set a budget, stick to it as much as possible. Be realistic about what you can afford. Don’t take the lowest estimate and assume that everything will go according to plan, as there’s a very real possibility that it won’t. No matter the project, it’s important to be prepared for unforeseen expenses. If you don’t have enough money to complete your remodeling project the way you want while factoring in enough to cover problems that might arise, consider postponing the project until you can save more money. It might be inconvenient to continue living with an outdated kitchen or bathroom for a few more months, but you could avoid major financial problems by putting off the remodel until you’re sure you can afford it.
BOTTOM LINE
If you are thinking of buying a home to renovate, lets have coffee and talk about the steps that we should be taking together. We can also explore different types of financing, such as an FHA 203k loan, that will make the cash flow easier for you! Lets talk! Call me at 240-401-5577 or email me at lise@lisehowe.com.
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